Illini win Braggin' Rights game -- again

Sunday

This season, like others, Illinois showed up for the Braggin' Rights game with a victory looking improbable. Once again, Illinois came away with an unlikely victory.

Senior center Shaun Pruitt's rebound basket with 35 seconds remaining allowed Illinois to escape with a 59-58 victory over Missouri at the Scottrade Center on Saturday night. The Tigers lost turnovers on their final two possessions and failed to score in the final 2 minutes, 56 seconds as the Illini tied a series record with their eighth consecutive win.

Not yet. Even when they came into the game after a depressing overtime loss at home to Miami (Ohio) on Thursday, these Illini extended a holiday tradition.

There was 2003 game, when the Illini showed up with star point guard Deron Williams on the bench with a broken jaw and Missouri 10 spots higher in the top 25. In 2001 and 2002, Missouri also entered the game with the higher ranking.

Even if it doesn't jive with most maps, it works with current basketball geography. The Illini remained undefeated in this building in the not-so-new millennium. Illinois hasn't lost to the Tigers since 1999, when Illinois' coach was Lon Kruger. The winning streak matched Illinois' run from 1983-1990, the season after Bardo graduated.

"It's tradition,'' said Illini forward Brian Randle. "We had a good run here. Stephen spoke to us, let us know about the history, for the guys already here and the younger guys. We want to leave a mark. It's about getting on a roll, keeping that tradition going and really feeling good going into Christmas.''

After Missouri guard Keon Lawrence dribbled the ball off his leg and out of bounds at the buzzer, Randle raced to the media table to celebrate with Bardo. The Illini survived despite a 17-4 Missouri run in the second half.

Illinois improved to 7-4 overall and gave the program a much-needed lift for the team's brief Christmas break. The Illini host Loyola (Md.) on Friday (8 p.m., Big Ten Network). The victory was the second in the day for the Illini, who received a verbal commitment from Alex Legion, a highly rated guard who will transfer from Kentucky.

"Our kids did a good job of keeping focus, which we haven't done in several games where we lost,'' Weber said. "We needed it worse than (Missouri) did. Our kids found a way to win.

"We talked a lot about a will to win. It's been pretty low the last two weeks with the Arizona and Miami (losses). Now, we have four home games. Hopefully, we can take this, go home and relax, clear our minds and use this as a momentum builder.''

Pruitt had 14 points and eight rebounds, but his only field goal in the second half came when the Illini missed three shots from short range on one possession before Pruitt battled to convert the basket for the 59-58 lead.

"We've had a lot of close games, and we just couldn't finish,'' Pruitt said. "It feels good to finish a game and get a win. We've dealt with a lot of adversity. Beating a quality team like this especially feels good and gives our team confidence.''

Missouri fell to 8-4.

"There were some tears'' in the locker room, Missouri coach Mike Anderson said. "It hurts, but one game doesn't make a season. I thought in the last 2 minutes we had some momentum. We had plays that just stopped us.''

Illini guard Trent Meacham had 13 points. Randle finished with 11 points and eight rebounds while playing only 17 minutes because of foul trouble.

Illinois jumped to quick leads in both halves, then found a way down the stretch while Missouri faltered. The Tigers had turnovers on three of their last four possessions. The Tigers' only shot during the span was blocked by Illini freshman Mike Davis.

The Illini jumped to a 9-0 lead and carried a 32-31 lead into halftime. The Illini also raced to a 43-33 lead to start the second half.

Forward Leo Lyons scored 15 points to lead Missouri. DeMare Carroll and Stefhon Hannah, the Tigers' top two scorers entering the game, combined for 4-for-22 from the field.

Of note

This was the second straight season both teams were unranked for the Braggin' Rights game. The Illini lead the series 19-8 since it moved to a neutral court here. … Weber is 5-0 against the Tigers as Illinois coach.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.

Illinois report card

Front court: A

Shaun Pruitt provided Illinois with a quick start and the game-winning basket. Too bad Brian Randle can't keep out of foul trouble. When these two guys play well, the Illini have a decent chance.

Back court: C

Trent Meacham hit some shots in the first half, but the Illini guards struggled against the physical Missouri pressure. Meacham, Chester Frazier and Calvin Brock combined for eight assists and nine turnovers.

Bench: C

Freshman forward Mike Davis heard the challenge from coach Bruce Weber. "Do you know how good you can be?'' Weber asked. Davis came up with a big block in the final minute.

Overall: B

This wasn't a high level game played between two conference favorites -- or even two top 25 teams. But the Illini have some feel good heading into Christmas. After two tough overtime losses against Arizona and Miami (Ohio), the Illini finally had a chance to smile -- at Missouri's expense for the eighth consecutive season.

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